Chapter 302: Shared Dream
Chapter 302: Chapter 302: Shared Dream
SWOOSH!
The arrow from Lu Zhan’s bow zipped past Duan Ling’s ear and flew behind him.
Duan Ling froze on the spot, a cold sweat breaking out on his brow. He couldn’t help but wonder, ’Have I done something to offend Old Lu recently?’
It wasn’t until he heard a dull THUD—the sound of an arrow sinking into flesh—that he snapped back to his senses.
He whipped his head around and discovered a white tiger hidden in a haystack behind him.
An arrow was now embedded between the tiger’s eyes. The beast staggered, letting out a series of roars.
A jolt of shock went through Duan Ling. He finally reacted, quickly drawing his bow and loosing several more arrows into the tiger.
At the bonfire banquet that evening, the Emperor learned that Lu Zhan had hunted a great tiger and lavished him with praise.
Perhaps it was because of the Emperor’s commendation, but in his delight, Lu Zhan drank himself into a stupor.
As Duan Ling helped him back to his tent, he couldn’t help but mutter, "It’s not like you’ve never been praised by the Emperor before. Is it really worth getting this happy over? Your cousin should see this, her dear cousin drunk as a skunk."
Hearing the word "cousin," Lu Zhan’s eyes snapped open.
He raised a hand to rub his temples and said in a hoarse voice, "Duan Ling, you can go."
"Are you sure you’ll be alright?" Duan Ling asked, still worried. "Where’s Chen Jiu? I haven’t seen him all afternoon."
Lu Zhan didn’t answer. He pushed Duan Ling away and unsteadily made his way to the bed.
Seeing him lie down, Duan Ling finally felt at ease.
He pulled the blanket over Lu Zhan before leaving.
「Meanwhile, in an inn in a remote town.」 Zhi Wan smashed the meal Zhi Ye had brought her onto the floor.
"I’m not eating! Take it away!"
Zhi Ye glanced at the food on the floor and scoffed. "Quite the temper! But it’s your own body. If you don’t eat, you’re the only one who’ll starve."
Zhi Wan retorted angrily, "Don’t be a hypocrite! I know why you kidnapped me. You’d best give up on that idea. I would rather die than join you in your filthy schemes!"
Hearing this, Zhi Ye suddenly raised his hand and slapped her across the face. "If it weren’t for revenge, do you think I would have ever chosen this path? You and I should be the closest people in this world, yet you’re so eager to cut ties with me. Are you even worthy of your grandparents, of your mother and father?"
The force of the blow snapped her head to the side, and she tasted the metallic tang of blood in her mouth.
She wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and said sarcastically, "Don’t you dare bring my parents into this. If my father had agreed with you, why didn’t he join your schemes back then? Besides, my father never once mentioned you in my presence. That proves he never approved of you.
"What’s more, you can’t possibly shake the current Court. Why waste your energy just to throw your life away?
"Uncle, please, pull back before it’s too late." Towards the end, Zhi Wan’s tone softened.
"You’re just as weak and useless as your father!" Zhi Ye’s face was a mask of disappointment.
"My father is not useless, nor is he weak! He was able to see the situation clearly. Perhaps the current Emperor’s throne was stolen from our grandfather through dishonorable means, but during his reign, he has been diligent and has strived to govern well, doing much good for the common people.
"Any ruler who can let the people live and work in peace is a good emperor.
"Even if Grandfather were still alive, you can’t guarantee he would have done a better job.
"The current Emperor has won the hearts of the people. You cannot overthrow him," Zhi Wan said, her patience wearing thin.
Zhi Ye was stunned for a moment. When he recovered, he was incandescent with rage. "You heartless, ungrateful wretch! That Dog Emperor is the man who killed your own grandfather, yet you speak up for him?"
"I’m not speaking for him. I’m just stating the facts," Zhi Wan said with a frown.
She, too, grieved over her grandfather’s fate. ’But for those born into the Royal Family, no one’s fate is their own. It’s simply a case of the winner takes all.’
’Besides, she couldn’t—and didn’t have the ability to—avenge her grandfather.’
’She just hoped her uncle would see reason, stop now, and not do anything else foolish.’
"You don’t want revenge because you’re afraid of implicating the Lu Family, aren’t you?" Zhi Ye said suddenly, staring into her eyes.
It was as if he had touched a raw nerve. Zhi Wan’s voice turned cold. "Shouldn’t I be afraid? It was my aunt who adopted me back then! If not for her, I would have died long ago. Would you even have the chance to be here, speaking to me? To be threatening me?"
Zhi Ye snorted. "You seem to have grown a conscience now that the Lu Family is mentioned. But don’t you forget, if I wanted to harm the Lu Family, it would be child’s play. All I have to do is send an anonymous letter to the Inspectorate, and the entire Lu Family would be finished.
"The Emperor’s greatest taboo is the descendants of King Jin. If he were to find out that the family of his most trusted and valued minister was harboring a descendant of King Jin, do you think the Emperor wouldn’t exterminate the entire Lu clan?"
Zhi Wan’s heart clenched. She said frantically, "You can’t do that! The Lu Family are good people! You can’t harm them..."
"If you don’t want me to report them, then you’ll do exactly as I say," Zhi Ye said, his tone softening, believing he had her cornered.
Hearing this, Zhi Wan lowered her head. After a long moment of thought, as if she had finally made up her mind, she nodded. "Fine. You just want me to spy on the Court for you, right? I’ll help you. But you have to promise me you will absolutely not harm the Lu Family."
"Of course. I still want Lu Zhan to work for me, so why would I harm the Lu Family? Don’t you worry, my dear niece." After speaking, Zhi Ye suddenly reached out and plucked one of her earrings off.
Zhi Wan watched his action but said nothing, only asking, "Where are we?"
"There’s no harm in telling you. This place isn’t far from the hunting ground. It’s called Santian Town." Zhi Ye didn’t think a weak woman like her could possibly escape.
But just to be cautious, he found a rope and tied her up, then stuffed a cloth into her mouth.
After placing Zhi Wan on the bed, Zhi Ye turned and left.
Hearing the sound of the door being locked, Zhi Wan’s heart sank.
’My uncle took my earring as a token. Is he going to find my cousin now?’
’What exactly does he want my cousin to do for him?’
’The Emperor is at the hunting ground right now, and this place is so close... Could it be that Uncle wants my cousin to help him assassinate the Emperor?’
At this realization, Zhi Wan’s heart nearly leaped out of her chest.
’I have to contact my cousin as soon as possible. I just hope he’s already asleep.’
’But we haven’t shared a dream in a long time. Will I even be able to reach him this time?’
’But I have no other way. I can only try.’
With that thought, she quickly closed her eyes and forced herself to sleep.
But whether it was because she was tied up or because she was too anxious, she didn’t feel the least bit sleepy.
She could only force herself to calm down first and try to relax.
When her uncle had abducted her last night, Tong Da had been in hot pursuit. Fearing she would make a sound, her uncle had knocked her unconscious.
She hadn’t woken up until this afternoon.
Fortunately, because she was already exhausted from resisting her uncle, drowsiness finally began to creep in.
It seemed she had only been asleep for a short while when she felt someone pull her into an embrace.
The strong scent of alcohol, mixed with the familiar smell of cedarwood, filled her nostrils.
Realizing what was happening, she immediately opened her eyes.
Sure enough, her cousin was sitting on the edge of the bed, untying her ropes.
Seeing him, Zhi Wan’s eyes reddened. She wanted to call out but found her mouth was still gagged.
After Lu Zhan untied the ropes, he pulled the cloth from her mouth. His voice was slightly hoarse. "Cousin."
"Cousin..." Zhi Wan could no longer hold back. She threw herself into his arms, her voice choked with sobs.
Lu Zhan hummed in acknowledgment, raising a hand to wipe away the glistening tears from the corners of her eyes. He fought to control his own emotions as he said, "You’ve suffered."
"It’s all my fault for being too careless." Zhi Wan shook her head, then looked up from his embrace and quickly relayed what she knew. "My uncle said this place is called Santian Town. And he took my earring, so he’s probably gone to find you. I think he might try to force you to assassinate the Emperor. You have to be careful! Don’t listen to him..."